Electronic Voucher Ticket System

ABSTRACT

A voucher ticket system employing a bill validator installed into any suitable automated machine, including an Automated Teller Machine (ATM), a gaming machine, etc. The bill validator is integrated with a bill reader, a voucher ticket reader, a reader to obtain an electronic voucher ticket from a portable computing device, a printer, and any other supporting peripheral devices. The bill validator communicates with an electronic money account manager through a voucher ticket system interface. The electronic money account manager maintains records associated with the electronic voucher ticket using a master voucher ticket ID, including a financial value, an electronic marker, an expiration, a status, etc. The electronic money account manager enables use of the electronic voucher ticket as common currency at an associated gaming facility, any associated ATM, etc. The electronic marker defines authenticity to maintain integrity of the electronic vouchers tickets.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This is a United States Non-Provisional patent application, which is aContinuation-In-part claiming the benefit of U.S. Non-Provisional patentapplication Ser. No. 14/494,629 filed on 24 Sep. 2014 (24 Sep. 2014),which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF INVENTION

This invention relates to a clearinghouse system for use with electronicvouchers issued by casino systems via electronic gaming machines (EGMs).

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Voucher tickets are utilized in the gaming industry for transactions.The voucher tickets include information required to complete securedtransactions, including coded data provided in any suitable format, suchas barcodes. Typically, a player will cash out after completing thegaming play, and the gaming machine will print a voucher ticket. Thevoucher ticket is identified by a voucher ID that is issued and managedby the casino voucher ticket system. The voucher ID is printed in abarcode and is associated with a printed validation code printed on thevoucher ticket. The voucher ticket received by the player can beinserted into a second gaming machine to credit the machine or can beinserted into a payment kiosk to receive cash that is equivalent to thevalue of the printed voucher ticket.

Each property issues its own proprietary form of these voucher tickets.Therefore, a gaming patron playing games at a variety of casinoproperties will be issued voucher tickets from each of the variety ofproperties; each voucher ticket is property-specific so cannot be usedat another property. The gaming patron must keep track of these numerousvoucher tickets from different properties.

As previously mentioned, the voucher tickets are limited for use withone gaming company, and generally, limited for use with one specificfacility. To ensure security, the voucher tickets are commonly encodedto a financial system that is proprietary to the gaming facility. Theproprietary encoding is one method, which restricts the use of thevoucher ticket to the associated issuing gaming facility. When the userdesires to leave one gaming facility to play at a different gamingfacility, this constraint imposes a requirement upon the user to cash inthe voucher ticket prior to leaving the current gaming facility.

An object of the present invention is to provide a clearinghouse tomanage vouchers from multiple properties. A multi-property clearinghousehas been proposed that connects the back end voucher servers fromdifferent properties. This proposal provides a solution to the user forconverting a voucher ticket issued by a first gaming facility to avoucher ticket that would be accepted for use at a second gamingfacility. However, this solution would require the cooperation of themultiple properties and of gaming regulators.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The electronic payment system according to the present inventioncomprises a payment system for use in conjunction with automated gamingmachines. The payment system enables completion of a financialtransaction using an automated payment system integrated into theautomated gaming machine. The automated payment system can be configuredto accept paper currency, coins, credit cards, gaming facility issuedcards, voucher tickets, and the like. The voucher tickets include amachine-readable code and can be presented as a printed document, animage displayed upon a portable computing device (such as a smartphone,a tablet computer, a personal data assistant, a portable electronicgaming device, a proprietary gaming company issued computing device, andthe like), and the like.

The electronic payment system comprises three distinct components: (a) adigital or electronic financial server and associated system, (b) a billvalidator capable of reading and issuing digital image voucher ticketsand preferably reading and issuing paper voucher tickets, wherein thebill validator is in data communication with the digital or electronicfinancial server, and (c) a gaming machine in data communication withthe digital or electronic financial server.

In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, theinvention includes a method of transferring a value of a first gamingfacility issued voucher ticket to a second gaming facility issuedvoucher, wherein the first gaming facility is independent of the secondgaming facility, the method comprising the steps:

obtaining an originating voucher ticket having a financial value and anoriginating voucher ticket reference for determining said financialvalue, wherein said voucher ticket is issued by and associated with afirst gaming facility;

storing said originating voucher ticket financial value and saidoriginating voucher ticket reference on a first gaming facilityfinancial server;

reading said reference from said originating voucher ticket;

determining said financial value of said originating voucher ticket byusing said reference read from said originating voucher ticket andcommunicating with said first gaming facility financial server;

entering a desired second issuing gaming facility, wherein said secondissuing gaming facility differs from said first gaming facility;

establishing a reference associated with a financial value of areplacement voucher ticket;

storing said replacement voucher ticket financial value and saidreplacement voucher ticket reference on a second gaming facilityfinancial server;

issuing said replacement voucher ticket comprising said replacementvoucher ticket reference.

In a second aspect, the voucher ticket includes a machine-readableimage, wherein the machine-readable image provides a financial valueassociated with the voucher ticket.

In another aspect, a value associated with each voucher ticket isrecorded on a digital or electronic financial system database server.Each player would be assigned one or more e-money accounts. The e-moneyaccounts can be associated with one or more voucher tickets. Thefinancial value of the electronic or digital voucher tickets can beincreased or decreased by transferring money between the digital voucherticket and the e-money account accordingly.

In yet another aspect, the method maintains a coexistence between alegacy player's card arrangement and a player's e-money account, whereinthe player's e-money account is associated with the electronic ordigital voucher ticket.

In another aspect, a serial number or other reference and a valueassociated with each voucher ticket are recorded on a financial systemdatabase. The serial number or other reference can be a numericarrangement, an alphanumeric arrangement, and can include or excludeadditional ASCii characters.

In another aspect, the voucher ticket includes a machine-readable image,wherein the machine-readable image provides a serial number, wherein theserial number is associated with the financial value and the financialvalue is determined by submitting an inquiry and obtaining a result froma financial system database.

In yet another aspect, the voucher ticket can include a machine-readableimage further comprising at least one of: a financial value of theassociated voucher ticket, an issue date, an expiration date, a name ofthe associated gaming facility, a logo of the associated gamingfacility, a serial number identifying the voucher ticket, and the like.

In yet another aspect, the machine-readable image is printed upon apaper substrate forming a paper voucher ticket.

In yet another aspect, the machine-readable image is downloaded to aportable computing device in a form of a digital image and presented asan image on a display panel.

In yet another aspect, the voucher ticket issuance machine provides atleast one of the paper voucher ticket and the machine-readable digitalimage, and preferably provides voucher tickets in both formats.

In yet another aspect, when the voucher ticket issuance machinedetermines an error occurred with transfer of the machine-readabledigital image voucher ticket, the voucher ticket issuance machine wouldissue the paper voucher ticket.

In yet another aspect, the machine-readable image presented on a firstvoucher ticket associated with a first gaming facility is read anddecoded determining an associated financial value and the financialvalue is transferred to a replacement voucher ticket associated with asecond gaming facility.

In yet another aspect, the machine-readable image presented on a firstvoucher ticket associated with a first gaming facility is read anddecoded determining an associated a financial value and the financialvalue is transferred to a replacement voucher ticket associated with asecond gaming facility, wherein the revised associated financial valuesare electronically communicated to each of the respective gamingfacility financial systems.

In yet another aspect, the machine-readable image presented on a firstvoucher ticket associated with a first gaming facility is read anddecoded determining an associated financial value and the financialvalue is transferred to a replacement voucher ticket associated with asecond gaming facility, wherein the first voucher ticket is provided ina first form factor and the second voucher ticket is provided in asecond form factor and the first form factor differs from the secondform factor.

In yet another aspect, each machine-readable image is encoded anddeciphered in accordance with a security encoding schematic provided bythe respective gaming facility.

In yet another aspect, the voucher ticket further comprises a humanlegible image presenting of at least one of a financial value of theassociated voucher ticket, an issue date, an expiration date, a name ofthe associated gaming facility, a logo of the associated gamingfacility, a serial number identifying the voucher ticket, and the like.

In yet another aspect, the present invention further comprises a methodof cashing out at least a portion of the voucher ticket. In oneembodiment, a balance of the voucher ticket can be provided to the userby a newly issued voucher ticket associated with the same associatedgaming facility. Alternatively, the balance of the voucher ticket can betransferred to a newly issued replacement voucher ticket associated withthe second gaming facility.

In yet another aspect, the method further comprises a step of validatingauthenticity of the voucher ticket by submitting an inquiry to thefinancial system database.

In yet another aspect, the method further comprises a step of obtaininginformation from the voucher ticket using a digital imaging systemintegrated into the voucher ticket reader.

In yet another aspect, the method further comprises a step of obtaininginformation from the voucher ticket using wireless signal communicationbetween a voucher ticket reader and the portable computing device.

In yet another aspect, the method introduces a voucher ticket markingsystem. The marker would identify a date and time of the most recentactivity.

These and other aspects, features, and advantages of the presentinvention will become more readily apparent from the attached drawingsand the detailed description of the preferred embodiments, which follow.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above-mentioned and other objects and advantages of the presentinvention will be apparent from the following description in connectionwith the accompanying drawings showing gaming machines as preferredembodiments of the electronic payment system of the invention wherein:

FIG. 1 presents an exemplary schematic diagram illustrating a basicconcept of the electronic payment system according to the presentinvention;

FIG. 2 presents a schematic diagram illustrating an exemplary embodimentof a gaming machine of prepaid card transaction type in accordance withthe present invention;

FIG. 3 presents a schematic diagram detailing an exemplary cash toelectronic voucher ticket (eV/T) process, initiating play at theelectronic gaming machine;

FIG. 4 presents a schematic diagram detailing an exemplary paperlesselectronic voucher ticket (eV/T) process; and

FIG. 5 presents a schematic diagram detailing an exemplary electronicvoucher ticket (eV/T) cash out process, terminating play at theelectronic gaming machine.

FIG. 6 presents a schematic diagram illustrating an exemplary electronicfinancial system utilizing printed voucher tickets and/or electronicvoucher tickets;

FIG. 7 presents a schematic diagram illustrating an exemplaryarrangement of an electronic financial server;

FIG. 8 presents a first portion of a flow diagram illustrating anexemplary electronic financial process flow, more specifically aninitiation portion of the process;

FIG. 9 presents a second portion of a flow diagram illustrating anexemplary electronic financial process flow, more specifically anelectronic money management mode thereof;

FIG. 10 presents a schematic diagram illustrating an exemplary e-moneyprocessing system integrated into a bill validator system;

FIG. 11 presents a schematic diagram illustrating an exemplary e-moneyprocessing system integrated into a gaming machine;

FIG. 12 presents a schematic diagram illustrating an exemplaryexternally located e-money processing system in communication with agaming machine;

FIG. 13 presents a schematic diagram illustrating an exemplary automatedprinted voucher ticket currency exchange machine;

FIG. 14 presents a schematic diagram illustrating an exemplary printedvoucher ticket clearing house exchange system;

FIG. 15 presents a schematic diagram detailing an exemplary physicalprinted voucher ticket clearing house exchange system;

FIG. 16 presents a schematic diagram detailing an exemplary physicalprinted voucher ticket clearing house printed replacement system;

FIG. 17 presents a schematic diagram detailing an exemplary electronicvoucher ticket clearing house exchange system;

FIG. 18 presents a schematic diagram detailing an exemplary voucherticket to electronic voucher ticket conversion process utilizing theclearing house exchange system;

FIG. 19 presents a schematic diagram representative of components of anelectronic money transaction system;

FIG. 20 presents an exemplary voucher ticket marking process flowdiagram;

FIG. 21 presents an exemplary digital or electronic financial accounttable representative of a component of a electronic financial accountdatabase;

FIG. 22 presents an exemplary stored voucher ticket status tablerepresentative another component of the electronic financial accountdatabase;

FIG. 23 presents an exemplary stored voucher ticket marking tablerepresentative another component of the electronic financial accountdatabase; and

FIG. 24 presents an exemplary voucher ticket issuance flow diagram.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

A basic concept of an electronic payment system 99, according to thepresent invention, is presented in FIG. 1 with details of a portion ofthe components being presented in FIG. 2. The exemplary electronicpayment system 99 comprises a mobile terminal 190 for emitting and/orreceiving a remotely operable signal that may include information on aspecific or unique account number or a debit card number associated witha financial database 142. The unique account number or a debit cardnumber identifies an account owned by a holder thereof. The electronicpayment system 99 also comprises a communications device 150 provided insignal communication with an automated machine 100 for receiving aremotely operable signal emitted from the mobile terminal 190. Thecommunications device 150 can also receive a monetary signal indicativeof a transaction fee necessary to drive the automated machine 100simultaneously with, before, or after receiving the remotely operablesignal. When the remotely operable signal contains a monetary signal,the communications device 150 can receive the encoded informationrespective to account number and the monetary signal contained in theremotely operable signal transmitted from the mobile terminal 190.Alternatively, the monetary signal can be produced and transmitted tothe communications device 150 by another signal input device such as anentry device 182, which will be described below. The holder of thefinancial account usually is a same individual that owns the mobileterminal 190, however, the holder might be a different person from theowner of the mobile terminal 190. The mobile terminal 190 can be anyportable computing device comprising a wired or wireless communicationsystem compatible with the communication system and respective protocolof the communications device 150.

Then, the communications device 150 may retrieve the holder's accountnumber from the financial database 142 and the monetary signal if theyare contained in the remotely operable signal. The electronic paymentsystem 99 may also comprise an automatic payment device 140 linked tothe financial database 142 for receiving a transmitted signal from thecommunications device 150, the holder's account number signal from thefinancial database 142 and the monetary signal of the transaction feeand for withdrawing an amount of transaction fee from the correctholder's account at the financial database 142 to produce anauthorization signal, wherein the authorization signal is only providedin a condition where the received account number is correct and theamount of transaction fee is within a deposit balance of the account.Upon receipt of the authorization signal, the communications device 150produces a monetary signal to the automated machine 100 to drive it atthe amount equivalent to a value of received monetary signal.

The mobile terminal 190 may emit a remotely operable signal, such as aradio or other wireless signal; an optical beam signal of infrared,ultraviolet or visible ray; and the like, to interact with the remotelyoperable signal by communications device 150. The mobile terminal 190and communications device 150 are electrically connected to each otherthrough a wired or a wireless mutual communication interface for radioor optical connection. The mobile terminal 190 also may include acellular phone, a smart phone utilizing wireless application protocol(WAP), a personal digital assistant (PDA), a portable computer, a handheld computer for electronic payment through the debit or prepaid cardtransaction system, or the like. A debit card transaction system mayinclude J-Debit, VISA Debit and Debit Master. Prepaid card transactionsystems may include Eddy, Suica, PASMO, nanaco, and WAON. Theaforementioned systems and devices are exemplary and the mobile terminal190 may comprise ones for other electronic payment systems 99 ordevices. Also, the mobile terminal 190 may be an electronic computerterminal or a smart card, chip card, or integrated circuit card(commonly referred to as an IC card) that incorporates a built-innon-contact IC chip such as for example FeliCa (Registered Mark), MIFARE(Registered Mark) or NFC (Near Field Communication) chips.

The automatic payment device 140 can additionally incorporate elementsfor reading and generating voucher tickets 310, 410 (FIG. 3). Thevoucher tickets 310, 410 can be in any suitable form factor, including apaper voucher ticket 310 and an electronic voucher ticket 410. Theinformation associated with the voucher ticket 310, 410 would beobtained using elements respective to the form factor of the voucherticket 310, 410. For example, the automatic payment device 140 wouldinclude a scanner for reading a paper voucher ticket 310 and/or a camerafor reading an image displayed upon an electronic voucher ticket 410. Anadditional option would be the use of the mobile terminal 190 towirelessly communicate with a portable computing device 400 (FIG. 3) toprovide a wireless communication interface therebetween to obtain dataassociated with the electronic voucher ticket 410.

Details of the mobile terminal 190 are presented in FIG. 3. The mobileterminal 190 comprises a digital storage device 193 such as anintegrated digital storage media, a removable digital storage, or both.The digital storage device 193 can be provided in any suitable format,including a memory card, flash memory, and the like removably insertableor integrated within a cellular phone for storing code information thatincludes an account number of a holder's debit or prepaid card, PIN(Personal Identification Number) and/or ID (Identification) number, auser entry device 194 such as a physical numerical keypad, a physicalkeyboard, a graphical user interface generated numerical keypad oralpha-numeric keypad in cellular phone for inputting an amount of atransaction fee signal such as gaming fees into digital storage device193, a Central Processing Unit (CPU) 192 electrically connected to allelectronic circuits and electronic functional systems for preparing aremotely operable signal inclusive of the code information stored fromdigital storage device 193, the wireless transmitting system 196 fortransmitting remotely operable signal from CPU 192 to communicationsdevice 150, the wireless signal receiving system 198 for receiving adeal signal from the communications device 150 when communicationsdevice 150 transmits to mobile terminal 190 the deal signal produced bycommunications device 150, and a portable power supply (such as abattery, super capacitor, and the like), (not shown) for supplyingelectric power to each electrically operated device or circuit toperform the various reading, writing, transmitting and receivingfunctions in mobile terminal 190. The digital storage device 193 doesnot need to store the code information for enhancement in security asany code signals may be produced by user entry device 194 andtransmitted outside through wireless transmitting system 196. A singleconvertible transceiver circuit can be used for both the transmissionand reception functions 196, 198. The CPU 192 can prepare the remotelyoperable signal that contains a transaction fee signal and a code signalinclusive of account number of debit or prepaid card, a PIN (PersonalIdentification Number) and/or an ID (Identification) number.

Returning to FIG. 1, there are a variety of automated machines forreceiving transaction fee signal from the communications device 150,wherein the automated machines may include automated teller machines(ATM), vending machines, money exchangers, gaming machines, or othermoney-operated equipment or apparatus. The present invention adopts agaming or automated machine 100 as an example of automated machines,however, it would be apparent to ordinary skill in the art that theelectronic payment system 99 of the present invention can also apply todrive other financially driven, automated machines in a similar way.

The communications device 150 and automatic payment device 140 areelectrically linked to each other through a wired, a wirelessconnection, an Intranet connection, an Internet protocol, or anycombination thereof. The automatic payment device 140 and the financialdatabase 142, such as banking systems are linked to each other through awired, a wireless connection, an Intranet connection, an Internetprotocol, or any combination thereof. In embodiments of the presentinvention, the communications device 150 can be disposed within, outsideof, or adjacent to the gaming or automated machine 100 so far as usersmay operate the mobile terminal 190 to access communications device 150in the vicinity of or at a location not too distant from the gaming orautomated machine 100. Both the communications device 150 and theautomatic payment device 140 may be disposed within or outside of thegaming or automated machine 100 for any spatial reason, so far as usersmay easily access the gaming or automated machine 100 and operate thecommunications device 150. For a similar reason, one of thecommunications device 150 and the automatic payment device 140 can bedisposed within or outside of gaming or automated machine 100 so far asthey may be provided in signal communication with one another.

The communications device 150 comprises a signal processor 154 connectedto automated machine 100 for retrieving and producing an account numberthat identifies a holder of the account at financial database 142 and ifnecessary holder's PIN and/or ID numbers and monetary signals fromremotely operable signal received from mobile terminal 190, and acommunications interface 152 for intervening telecommunication betweenmobile terminal 190 and signal processor 154.

A typical example of the automated machine applied to a schematicallydepicted gaming or automated machine 100 is illustrated in FIG. 2. Thegaming or automated machine 100 comprises a bill acceptor 130, a drivedevice 120 connected to the communications device 150, and to gaminghardware 110 and a printer 160 for recording game information on arecording medium. The bill acceptor 130 validates a bill insertedtherein from outside to produce a bill monetary signal to drive device120 as a monetary signal of transaction fee when bill acceptor 130decides that the inserted bill is genuine. The drive device 120generates drive signals of the amount equivalent to a value of receivedmonetary signal to present games when receiving each monetary signalfrom the bill acceptor 130. The drive signals are forwarded to thegaming hardware 110. The printer 160 prints onto a recording medium,data of the game information, money amount to be refunded and managementcodes to issue the recording medium as a coupon.

The bill acceptor 130 comprises an inlet sensor 134 for producing adetection signal when a bill is inserted into bill acceptor 130, a billsensor 135 for producing a characteristic signal inclusive of an opticalor magnetic signal when a bill is moved along bill sensor 135, aconveyor (not shown) for transporting a bill along a passageway 132 inbill acceptor 130 and a control device 136 for receiving detectionsignal from inlet sensor 134 and characteristic signal from bill sensor135 to produce drive signals to conveyor when control device 136considers the bill as being genuine. Specifically, control device 136may verify whether or not the bill is genuine and what kind ofdenomination the bill has, and when it decides that the bill is genuine,the control device 136 generates a denomination signal of the bill as adigital monetary signal, wherein the signal is communicated to the drivedevice 120. On the other hand, the control device 136 also receives fromthe communications device 150, the monetary signal sent from the mobileterminal 190, and so, transmits to the drive device 120 either of themonetary signals that bill acceptor 130 produces and relays from thecommunications device 150. The control device 136 is provided inelectrical communication to a converter 156 of the communications device150 for converting the denomination signal from the signal processor 154into a serial denomination signal and transmitting the serialdenomination signal to the control device 136 of the bill acceptor 130.The control device 136 has a memory area for storing a specific code,such as an electronic serial number, identifying the specific gaming orautomated machine 100 and also storing both monetary signals that thebill acceptor 130 produces and relays from the communications device150. Otherwise, the present invention also contemplates that the billacceptor 130 can validate valuable coupon tickets, scrip, tender, tokensor substitutes of bills.

The bill acceptor 130 validates a bill inserted from outside to producea monetary signal representative of the valuation of the bill to thedrive device 120 when the bill acceptor 130 determines the value of theinserted bill and that the inserted bill is genuine. The bill acceptor130 also receives a monetary signal contained in the remotely operablesignal from the signal processor 154 through the converter 156 of thecommunications device 150, and forwards the monetary signal to the drivedevice 120. Then, the drive device 120 receives either of the monetarysignals from the bill acceptor 130 to generate to the gaming hardware110 the drive signals having the amount equivalent to a value of eitherof the received monetary signal(s) to allow the gaming hardware 110 toconduct a game. Each of monetary signals may indicate a financial valuecorresponding to one or more denominations of bills optically ormagnetically readable by the bill acceptor 130. In other words, thefinancial value or money amount to be transmitted may be selected fromamounts in denominations of bills readable by the bill acceptor 130. Byway of example, when the bill acceptor 130 can selectively validatebills of five kinds, i.e. one-dollar, five-dollar, ten-dollar,twenty-dollar or one hundred-dollar bills, it would be preferable tosend signals of the amount selected from one-dollar, five-dollar,ten-dollar, twenty-dollar or one hundred-dollar bill from the mobileterminal 190 to the communications device 150.

The drive device 120 can generate to the gaming hardware 110, drivesignals having the amount equivalent to a value of the received monetarysignal when receiving the monetary signal through the bill acceptor 130.Otherwise, the communications device 150 may forward the monetary signalof the transaction fee directly to the drive device 120 without the billacceptor 130 so that the drive device 120 may produce to the gaminghardware 110 the respective drive signals having the amount equivalentto the amount of transaction fee to drive the gaming hardware 110 bydrive signals from the drive device 120. This allows users to selecteither a cash payment or a cashless electronic payment for gaming inamusement halls or casinos.

The bill acceptor 130 also comprises a stacker 139 for accommodatingbills considered genuine by the control device 136, and a memory device138 in electrical communication with the control device 136 and attachedto the stacker 139 for storing monetary or denomination signals, accountnumber signals, PIN and ID number signals and specific code signalidentifying the gaming or automated machine 100 forwarded from thecontrol device 136. The control device 136 distinctively stores in thememory area both monetary signals produced by the control device 136 andtransmitted from the communications device 150. The memory device 138distinctively stores both monetary signals transmitted from both thecontrol device 136 and the communications device 150, account numbersignals, PIN and ID number signals and specific code signal identifyingthe gaming or automated machine 100; all forwarded from the controldevice 136. The bill acceptor 130 is removably attached to the gaming orautomated machine 100 and also the stacker 139 is removably attached tothe bill acceptor 130 to easily take out and collect bills accumulatedwithin the stacker 139. Accordingly, when the bills accumulated withinthe stacker 139 are to be collected, the bill acceptor 130 is detachedfrom gaming or automated machine 100 and then the stacker 139 is removedfrom the bill acceptor 130.

In operation, when the mobile terminal 190 moves closer to thecommunications device 150, the mobile terminal 190 emits a radio signalinclusive of the account number signal of financial database 142identifying a holder of the account and transaction fee signal to bepaid for operation of gaming or automated machine 100. Subsequently, thecommunications device 150 receives a radio signal to retrieve theholder's account number embedded within the radio signal and alsoreceive a monetary signal indicative of the transaction fee that may beinvolved in the radio signal. Alternatively, the communications device150 may be connected to an entry device 182 for inputting a monetarysignal of a transaction fee for the gaming or automated machine 100 totransmit monetary signal from the entry device 182 to the communicationsdevice 150. Then, the automatic payment device 140 can receive monetarysignal from the entry device 182 through the communications device 150simultaneously with, before, or after receiving the radio signal fromthe mobile terminal 190. Then, just like through an on-line debit orprepaid card system, the automatic payment device 140 can withdraw thefinancial equivalent of the transaction fee from the holder's account atthe financial database 142 when the amount of transaction fee is withina deposit balance of the holder's account. Then, the automatic paymentdevice 140 produces an authorization signal to the communications device150 that then sends the monetary signal to the gaming or automatedmachine 100 to drive it.

In another embodiment of the present invention, remotely operable signalmay include PIN and/or ID numbers to more strictly identify the holderin addition to the holder's account number of the mobile terminal 190 toincrease security against unauthorized access to the holder's account.When the mobile terminal 190 emits a radio signal inclusive of accountnumber and PIN and/or ID number, the communications device 150 canreceive the radio signal, retrieve or decipher the account number, thePIN and/or ID numbers from the radio signal and withdraw the amount oftransaction fee from the holder's account at the financial database 142when PIN and/or ID numbers correspond to one or ones of pass-codes orsecret numbers stored within the financial database 142. In lieu of thePIN and/or ID number included in radio signal, the entry device 182 canbe used to produce the PIN and/or ID number signals from the entrydevice 182 connected to the communications device 150 to provide them tothe automatic payment device 140 through the communications device 150so that the automatic payment device 140 can withdraw the amount oftransaction fee from the holder's account at the financial database 142when the PIN and/or ID numbers correspond to one or ones of pass-codesor secret numbers at financial database 142.

In a further embodiment of the instant invention, the communicationsdevice 150 can be connected to a visual and/or acoustic display device180. When communications device 150 receives an authorization signalfrom the automatic payment device 140, the communications device 150produces and transmits a deal signal to the mobile terminal 190 and/orto the display device 180 to exhibit the deal signal thereon. On anotheraspect, when the communications device 150 fails to retrieve the accountnumber embedded within the radio signal or retrieves an incorrectaccount number, the automatic payment device 140 produces anunauthorized signal to the communications device 150 that, then producesand forwards a no-deal signal to the mobile terminal 190 and/or todisplay device 180 for exhibition of no-deal signal.

For example, when the drive device 120 has completed itsprogram-controlled operation or when a force-quit button 184 is actuatedto terminate the game, the drive device 120 generates a refund moneysignal of an unspent remaining financial balance, award, prize, jackpot,or the like obtained from the game if any. The drive device 120 maytransmit a refund money signal and a management code signal to theprinter 160 and also to the signal processor 154 of the communicationsdevice 150 to store the financial value to be refunded in the signalprocessor 154. The signal processor 154 may also transmit the refundmoney signal to the wireless signal receiving system 198 of the mobileterminal 190 through the communications interface 152 so that the mobileterminal 190 may receive and write the refund money signal in thedigital storage device 193 of the mobile terminal 190 to add thefinancial value in the digital storage device 193. The printer 160 mayrecord data as directed by the refund money signal and the necessarymanagement code signals from the drive device 120 on the recordingmedium or media and prepares a coupon of the recording media fordispensation of the coupon from printer 160. In this way, a mutualintercommunication system may be established to transport and receiveelectronic signals between the mobile terminal 190 and the signalprocessor 154 through wired, wireless or radio, optical connection, orthe like. Specifically, the communications interface 152 may receive theremotely operable signal from the mobile terminal 190, and transmit itto the signal processor 154 that may receive the remotely operablesignal from the communications interface 152. The signal processor 154can also retrieve and produce signals of the account number or debitcard number for identifying the account owner or holder and the holder'sPIN and/or ID number and monetary signals or a denomination signalcontained in the remotely operable signal and, can then, send theinformation to the automatic payment device 140.

After or before bills are extracted from the stacker 139, it is put on areadout device 170 as shown in FIG. 3, but the memory device 138attached to the stacker 139 is retained in the non-contact conditionaway from the readout device 170 that may be operated to retrieve thefollowing four kinds of information stored in the memory device 138:

-   -   (i) Total amount and total number of bills stowed in stacker        139;    -   (ii) All denomination signals of the bills;    -   (iii) All account numbers that identify account holders        involved; and    -   (iv) The specific code signal identifying gaming or automated        machine 100 from which the stacker 139 has been removed.

The information readout device 170 has retrieved from the memory device138 is compared with the information of the bills removed from thestacker 139 and with the information from the communications device 150to inspect whether or not they match.

In still another embodiment, the gaming or automated machine 100 cancomprise an entry device made up of a plurality of choice switches,namely an entry device 182 such as image switches (commonly referred toas soft switches or a graphical user interface) on a touch displayscreen or made up of mechanical selector switches to be chosen todetermine a denomination of bills for payment for games so that one ormore of choice switches may be selected to determine one or more ofdifferent charge amounts to be paid for gaming to transmit one or morecharge or denomination signals to signal processor 154 of communicationsdevice 150. On the other hand, when mobile terminal 190 transmits to thecommunications device 150 remotely operable signal including holder'saccount number signal, the communications interface 152 may receive theaccount number signal from the mobile terminal 190, and the signalprocessor 154 may receive a chosen charge signal from the entry device182 and the holder's account number signal transmitted from the mobileterminal 190.

In operation of the gaming or automated machine 100, a user may selecteither cash or electronic payment as a method for payment for playinggames with the gaming or automated machine 100. In order to select theelectronic payment option, he or she may operate the user entry device194 of the mobile terminal 190 to input the money amount of the gamingfees into the Central Processing Unit (CPU) 192 that may synthesize aremotely operable signal by placing on a carrier wave the financialvalue of the gaming fees and the account number signal stored in thedigital storage device 193 and then transmit remotely the operablesignal to the communications device 150 through the wirelesstransmitting system 196. In this way, the user may move closer to thegaming or automated machine 100 and allow the mobile terminal 190 tolightly touch the communications interface 152 while making the mobileterminal 190 produce and transmit the remotely operable signal from themobile terminal 190.

A first financial process flow diagram 200 is presented in FIG. 3. Thefinancial process flow diagram 200 presents a general interactionbetween contributing elements utilizing an electronic voucher ticket(eV/T in the diagrams) 310, 410 (FIG. 6) for financial processing inconjunction with an electronic gaming machine 100. The variouscontributing elements include the electronic gaming machine 100, acasino host server 146, at least one printer 160, a bill validator 130(or other electronic voucher ticket reader), a near field communicationsdevice 150, and a mobile wallet server 144. The process initializes withthe user 199 submitting a request for tendering payment for credits foruse in conjunction with the electronic gaming machine 100. The user 199enters an amount and necessary information for authorization for thetransaction using an application provided on a Smartphone 400 (step201). The data is received by wireless communication between thesmartphone 400 and the near field communicator 150 as indicated by step201. The near field communicator 150 forwards the information to thebill validator 130 as referenced in step 202. The bill validator 130completes a credit check or any other associated transaction validationprocess (step 203). The system utilizes technology referred to asNetwork Hub Link (NHL) 158 to communicate with and complete transactionswith the mobile wallet server 144. The communication process completes abalance check for available funds and provides feedback to the billvalidator 130 as indicated by steps 204 and 205. During this process, anelectronic or electronic voucher ticket (eV/T) 410 is issued. Inparallel, the bill validator 130 communicates the outcome of the request(accepted or denied) to the user 199 (step 206). Should the user desireto begin play on the automated machine 100, the user 199 enters theelectronic voucher ticket 410 into the bill validator 130 associatedwith the automated machine 100 (step 207). The electronic voucher ticket410 can be read by the bill validator 130 using any suitable technologyassociated with the form factor of the electronic voucher ticket 410,including a camera to view an electronic voucher ticket 410 displayedupon a smartphone display 404, an near field communicator 150 to readwirelessly transfer information from the smartphone 400, and the like.The automated machine 100 digitally conveys the transaction to thegaming facility host server 146 (step 208). The gaming facility hostserver 146 in turn, provides feedback to the automated machine 100 onwhether the electronic voucher ticket 410 is accepted or rejected (step209). In a condition where the electronic voucher ticket 410 isaccepted, credit is applied to the automated machine 100 and the user199 begins play thereon (step 210).

A first alternative process for utilizing mobile wallet is presented inan alternative financial process flow diagram 220 is presented in FIG.4. The financial process flow diagram 220 presents a general interactionbetween contributing elements utilizing the electronic voucher ticket(eV/T in the diagrams) 310, 410 (FIG. 6) for financial processing inconjunction with the electronic gaming machine 100. The variouscontributing elements include those previously described in FIG. 3,excluding the as Network Hub Link (NHL) 158. The process initializeswith the user 199 submitting a request for tendering payment forissuance of credits onto the electronic voucher ticket 410 (step 221).The user 199 enters an amount and necessary information forauthorization for the transaction using an application provided on thesmartphone 400. The data is received by the mobile wallet server 144using wireless communication between the smartphone 400 and the mobilewallet server 144. The mobile wallet server 144 issues and forwards theelectronic voucher ticket 410 to the Smartphone 400 (step 222). Uponrequest by the user, the smartphone 400 communicates informationassociated with the electronic voucher ticket 410 to the bill validator130 via the near field communications device 150 (step 223). The billvalidator 130 can optionally transfer a request to print a paper voucherticket 310 (FIG. 6) to the printer 160 (step 224). The paper voucherticket 310 is dispensed and provided to the user 199 (step 225). Theuser 199 enters either the paper voucher ticket 310 or the electronicvoucher ticket 410 into the bill validator 130 for use with anassociated automated machine 100 (step 226). The bill validator 130forwards information directly or indirectly to the gaming facility hostserver 446 (steps 227 and 228). The gaming facility host server 446either confirms or rejects a validation of the electronic voucher ticket410 and reports the validation status (either approved or rejected) tothe automated machine 100 (step 229). In a condition where theelectronic voucher ticket 310, 410 is accepted, credit is applied to theautomated machine 100 and the user 199 begins play thereon (step 230).

The play can conclude by either a depletion of credits pending in theautomated machine 100 or at a request submitted by the user 199. Anexemplary electronic voucher ticket (eV/T) cash out process flow diagram240 is presented in FIG. 5. The financial process flow diagram 240presents a general interaction between contributing elements for cashingout after play on the automated machine 100. The various contributingelements include those previously described in FIG. 3, wherein the leapforward gaming 158 and the smartphone 400 can be used interchangeably.The process initializes with the user 199 submitting a request forissuance of credits onto the electronic voucher ticket 410 (step 241).The request is entered using an application on the smartphone 400 via acommunication with the near field communications device 150 (step 242).The near field communications device 150 forwards the information via adigital communication link with the bill validator 130 (step 243). Thebill validator 130 forwards the information directly or indirectly tothe gaming facility host server 446 (steps 244 and 245). The gamingfacility host server 446, in conjunction with the automated machine 100,tallies any tendered balance, concludes play of the game, and issues adigital electronic voucher ticket 410 (step 246). The new electronicvoucher ticket 410 is forwarded to the near field communications device150 (step 247). The new electronic voucher ticket 410 is transferred tothe smartphone 400 using near field communication protocol (step 248).

Automated machines 100 can utilize voucher tickets 310, 410 inconjunction with a financial account server 512 associated with a casino510 to control and communicate a financial value while a player iswithin a casino 510 as illustrated in an exemplary schematic diagrampresented in FIG. 3. The voucher ticket can be provided as a papervoucher ticket 310 or an electronic voucher ticket 410.

Each voucher ticket 310, 410 would include a computer legible valuereference 332, wherein the computer legible value reference 332 can bein any computer readable format, including a barcode, a Quick Read or QRcode (as illustrated), and the like. The computer readable valuereference 332 is preferably encoded using a protocol that is specific tothe respective casino 510. For ease of use, it is desirable that eachvoucher ticket 310, 410 includes a human legible value reference 330.The human legible value reference 330 would include a human legiblefinancial value of the voucher ticket 310, 410. Each voucher ticket 310,410 can include additional information suitable for the respectiveapplication. The additional information can include a casino identifier320, a voucher ticket issue date 326 and a voucher ticket expirationdate 328. The voucher ticket expiration date 328 is set by apredetermined time period from the voucher ticket issue date 326. Thevoucher ticket issue date 326 and/or the voucher ticket expiration date328 is preferably recorded on a voucher ticket database server 512, 522,532. The paper voucher ticket 310 includes printing applied upon one orboth surfaces of a paper voucher ticket substrate 312. The paper voucherticket 310 can additionally include a master ticket identifier 322and/or a local ticket identifier 324 for security purposes.

The paper voucher ticket 310 can include a master ticket identifier 322and/or a local ticket identifier 324, wherein the master ticketidentifier 322 is essentially a unique serial code (numeric, alphabetic,or alpha-numeric) utilized in identifying the validity of the papervoucher ticket 310 and the local ticket identifier 324 is a secondaryvalidation code. The local ticket identifier 324 is anotheridentification reference used in conjunction with the paper voucherticket 310 and assigned to one voucher ticket master identificationreference. More specifically, the master and local identificationreference has a one-to-one association. The local ticket identifier 324is assigned by the electronic money management system 512, and used inconjunction with the equipment described herein, is not used at thecasino voucher ticket server 512. Because the master identificationreference can be redeemable for cash, it is desired to conceal themaster identification reference on a smartphone display 404 of a PC orsmartphone 400. A local identification reference 324 is employed for theuser of the system. The master identification reference 324 is only usedwhen certain messages about the voucher ticket 310, 410 should be sentor received between the voucher ticket server 512 in the casino 510 andthe system.

The electronic voucher ticket 410 can be communicated to the smartphone400 by a wired or wireless communication interface. For reference, thesmartphone 400 can comprise common elements associated with asmartphone, a tablet, or any other suitable portable computing device.These elements can include a smartphone display 404 carried by asmartphone housing 402, wherein the smartphone display 404 can be astandard display or more desirably, a touch screen display enablingtactile inputs by the user. The smartphone display 404 presents imagesfrom a digital image file. The digital image file would includeinformation to store and display the electronic voucher ticket 410. Theelements of the smartphone 400 additionally include a microphone 406 anda speaker 408 for voice communication. At least one Smartphonemechanical user control interface 405 is included providing alternativetactile inputs respective to the smartphone display 404. Advancedportable computing devices include a camera 409 enabling acquisition andstorage of digital images. The electronic voucher ticket 410 includes amajority of the same features as the paper voucher ticket 310, whereinlike elements of the electronic voucher ticket 410 and the paper voucherticket 310 are numbered the same except preceded by the numeral ‘4’. Thepaper voucher ticket 310 is generated by a printing process. Theelectronic voucher ticket 410 is communicated to the smartphone 400 byany suitable, preferably secure digital data communication protocol.Master information respective to the value and status of the vouchertickets 310, 410 are stored on the respective casino voucher ticketdatabase server 512.

An exemplary e-money or voucher ticket management system 580 ispresented in a schematic diagram illustrated in FIG. 7. The casinovoucher ticket database server 512 can be organized each player'se-money account 582. Each player's e-money account 582 can be sharedacross or distributed into each of a plurality of player's cards 590,592, 594, 596.

An exemplary electronic financial process flow 600 is presented in twoportions, a first portion being presented in FIG. 8, with the processcontinuing in a second portion being presented in FIG. 9. The processinitiates with an issued voucher ticket 310, 410 (step 610). The playerinitiates use of the gaming machine 100 by selecting the desired mode ofoperation. The player can initiate an option utilizing the paper voucherticket 310 or the electronic voucher ticket 410. Initially, the playerwould identify their player account by informing the gaming machine 100of such. This can be accomplished by inserting a magnetic card into aplayer's card slot within the gaming machine 100 (step 612). The gamingmachine 100 would convey information obtained from the player's card tothe respective casino voucher ticket database server 512 to establishthe desired association. The player would prior to, subsequently, orsimultaneously insert the paper voucher ticket 310 into the gamingmachine 100 (Step 614). The gaming machine 100 would determine thefinancial or token value of the paper voucher ticket 310 and upload thefinancial or token value to the gaming machine 100 for play. The playerwould initiate and continue play on the gaming machine 100 until adesired point of conclusion. At the time of conclusion, the player wouldrequest a voucher ticket for any remaining credit or financial value ofthe game. The player can enter the desired form factor of the voucherfrom the gaming machine 100. The gaming machine 100 would respond inaccordance with the player's instructions. A first option would be toprint and dispense a new paper voucher ticket 310 (Step 626). Once thenew paper voucher ticket 310 is printed, the system would return to anidle state (step 628). A second option would be to transfer the creditor financial value pending at the point of termination of the game to ane-account (Step 620). The system compares e-account information enteredby the player (Step 620) with e-account information stored on the casinovoucher ticket database server 512. The system determines if the enteredinformation is consistent with the information stored on the casinovoucher ticket database server 512 (Step 622). In a condition where theentered e-account information is consistent with the information storedon the casino voucher ticket database server 512, the system transfers anew electronic voucher ticket 410 to the smartphone 400 (Step 624). In acondition where the entered information is inconsistent with theinformation stored on the casino voucher ticket database server 512, thesystem notifies the player with the inconsistency and rejects a requestfor an e-account transfer.

Alternatively, the player can elect to utilize funds from an e-account.The user enters the e-account information into the gaming machine 100(Step 630). The system processes the entered information to determine ifthe entered information is consistent with the information stored on thecasino voucher ticket database server 512 (decision Step 632). In acondition where the entered information is consistent with theinformation stored on the casino voucher ticket database server 512, thesystem toggles into an electronic money management mode (Step 640). In acondition where the entered information is inconsistent with theinformation stored on the casino voucher ticket database server 512, thesystem rejects the request for entry of a financial value (Step 636).The system can direct the player to re-enter the e-account information,request that the player utilize a different source for application ofthe game fees or simply terminate the process and return to an idlestate (Step 638).

Details of the electronic money management mode are presented in FIG. 9.The electronic money management mode (Step 640) presents a series ofoptions. The options are based upon the status of play, the currentpending credit or financial value retained within the gaming machine100, and the like. In a condition where the current pending credit orfinancial value retained within the gaming machine 100 is greater thanzero, the player can continue playing (Step 644) or request to cash out(Step 642). The cash out can be accomplished by printing a paper voucherticket 310 or conveying an electronic voucher ticket 410 to a smartphone400. The player can insert a magnetic card into the game machine 100 toidentify themselves with the game machine 100 as well as the casinovoucher ticket database server 512 or other casino financial databaseserver (Step 646). The player can opt to insert a bill, a paper voucherticket 310, or the like into the game machine 100 (Step 648). The gamemachine 100 would apply a credit equaling the value of the entered bill,the entered paper voucher ticket 310, or the like to the total pendingcredit or financial value stored therein. Upon completion of play, thegame machine would disburse a voucher 310, 410 to the player inaccordance with the mode selected by the player. The game machine 100would subsequently clear the account (Step 650) and return to an idlestage (Step 652).

When using an e-account, the player would enter the e-accountinformation (Step 649). The method of entry can vary based upon theoptions integrated into the game machine 100. The process determines ifthe e-account information entered into the game machine 100 is the sameas the e-account that has been pending. If the entered e-accountinformation is the same as the e-account currently pending in the gamemachine 100 (Step 670), the process continues by requesting entry of anauthorization code and application of funds to the gaming machine 100.In a condition where the player desired to increase the pending creditvalue (Step 672), the player enters the associated e-account andauthorization information (Step 676). The entered information isvalidated against information stored within the e-money or voucherticket management system 580. In a condition where the enteredinformation is inconsistent with the information stored on the e-moneyor voucher ticket management system 580, the system notifies the playerwith the inconsistency and rejects a request for an e-account transfer(Step 678). In a condition where the entered e-account information isconsistent with the information stored on the e-money or voucher ticketmanagement system 580, the system uploads and applies the financialvalue to the pending credits (Step 679). Wherein the player elects tocontinue playing with the pending credit, the system continues playusing e-money (Step 674).

In a condition where the entered e-account information differs from thee-account information pending in the gaming machine 100, the gamingmachine 100 clears the pending account (Step 660) and proceedsrequesting the player enter authorization and a financial transaction toapply credits accordingly (Step 680). The player would commonly proceedby entering the associated e-account and authorization information andproceeding accordingly in an electronic management mode (Step 682).

In a condition where the player rejects this request (Step 686), thegaming machine returns to an idle condition (Step 688).

An exemplary bill validator system 700 is illustrated in a schematicdiagram format presented in FIG. 10. The bill validator system 700includes an e-money integrated bill validator structure 710 provided insignal communication with an electronic money management system 760 anda gaming machine operational system 770. The signal communication can beprovided using a wired interface or a wireless communication interface,such as a network communications 750. The e-money integrated billvalidator structure 710 and gaming machine operational system 770 arepreferably integrated into the gaming machine 100, while the electronicmoney management system 760 can be located at a distance from the gamingmachine 100. The gaming machine operational system 770 is representativeand can include an electronic gaming main board, a kiosk main board, andthe like. The electronic money management system 760 is preferably acentralized system, interfacing with multiple gaming machines 100 usingthe network communications 750 for communication therebetween.

The e-money integrated bill validator structure 710 includes thenecessary components for processing financial transactions, anddirecting operation of the gaming machine operational system 770. Thee-money integrated bill validator structure 710 includes an electronicmoney handling 740 for receiving, scanning, and stowing bills or otheracceptable currency. The electronic money handling 740 is operated by aninput control device 742 in conjunction with the respective devicedependent drivers 744. The electronic money handling 740 is integratedin signal communication with a mode selector 734 as well as an uppercommunication control 720. The mode selector enables selective operationof the gaming device 100. This includes operation of the gaming machine100, the preferred method for accomplishing the financial transactions(using a paper transaction process, using an e-money transactionprocess, and the like), and any other operational option integrated intothe gaming machine 100. The mode selector 734 is provided in signalcommunication with a printing process control 736, a gaming statuswatching 730, and the upper communication control 720. The mode selector734 can be used to establish a condition where the player desires to useeither e-money or paper voucher tickets 310. Wherein the player electsto use paper voucher tickets 310, the mode selector 734 activates theprinting process control 736. The mode selector 734 can optionallyprovide a second benefit, wherein the mode selector 734 can be used tomanage the gaming status watching 730. The overall management of thee-money integrated bill validator structure 710 is provided by the uppercommunication control 720. The upper communication control 720 can beintegrated into the e-money integrated bill validator structure 710 in amanner establishing signal communication between the upper communicationcontrol 720 and one or more of the gaming status watching 730, the imageprocessing and paper processing 732, the mode selector 734, and/or theelectronic money handling 740. The upper communication control 720provides an operational interface between the balance of the componentswithin the e-money integrated bill validator structure 710 and thegaming machine operational system 770. The upper communication control720 handles the communication process between the e-money integratedbill validator structure 710 and the gaming machine operational system770 using any suitable standard protocol, including ID003, ID024, ID028,ID0G8, DES encryption, Universal Serial Bus (USB), ICT, SMIB, NISR,USBTAO-V, Pulse or 5V enabled, and the like. The money integrated billvalidator structure 710 can include any suitable interface, includingpulse, serial (including Universal Serial Bus or USB), parallel, RS232,MDB, CC-Talk, CCNET, GBA, and the like.

The electronic money handling 740 manages the transaction of theelectronic money and the voucher ticket information, and handles thecommunication process with the electronic money management system 760.The electronic money handling 740 manages, holds, releases, andauthenticates each respective electronic money account. The electronicmoney account is specifically referencing a financial account, and morespecifically an electronic money account. The electronic moneymanagement system 760 would preferably include the arrangement presentedin FIG. 4.

An exemplary gaming machine network 800 is illustrated in a schematicdiagram format presented in FIG. 11. The gaming machine network 800includes a gaming machine configuration 810 provided in signalcommunication with an electronic money management system 870 and acasino host 880 by way of a network communications 860. The exemplarygaming machine configuration 810 includes a variety of components toprovide a gaming machine system having an e-money processing functionintegrated therein. The e-money integrated bill validator structure 710utilizes a main controller 812 for governing operation of the gamingmachine configuration 810. The gaming machine main controller 812 isprovided in signal communication with a host communication controller814, a user interface management 820, a wager gaming processor 830, aperipheral controller 840, and a player card account management 850. Theuser interface management 820 provides an interface between the gamingmachine main controller 812 and any user interface device, including amonitor controller 822, which provides a visual output and an optionaltouch screen input function; an audio controller 824, which provides anaudible output and an optional audible recording or other inputfunction; and an input management 826, which provides other user entryfunctions, such as a keyboard, a cursor pointing device, and the like.The wager gaming processor 830 can be integrated into the gaming machineconfiguration 810, wherein the wager gaming processor 830 is provided insignal communication with both the gaming machine main controller 812and the user interface management 820. The peripheral controller 840provides an interface between the gaming machine main controller 812 andperipheral devices, including a printer 842, a bill validator 844, acamera (not shown), and the like. The player card account management 850provides management functions respective to the player's card account.The player card account management 850 obtains the player's card accountinformation through a magnetic card reader 852.

The network communications 860 is preferably a secured network utilizingan encrypted signal communication protocol. Signal communication betweenthe gaming machine configuration 810 and the electronic money managementsystem 870 is provided through the network communications 860. Theelectronic money management system 870 provides functionality similar tothe electronic money management system 760 previously described. Signalcommunication between the gaming machine configuration 810 and thecasino hosts 880 is also provided through the network communications860.

A modified exemplary modified gaming machine network 801 is illustratedin a schematic diagram format presented in FIG. 12, wherein theenhancement reconfigures the integration of the e-money processor. Thegaming machine network 800 integrates the e-money processing within thebill validator 844. The modified gaming machine configuration 811 isconfigured for processing the e-money transaction externally from thebill validator 844. The modified gaming machine network 801 includes amodified gaming machine configuration 811. The modified gaming machineconfiguration 811 is a modified version of the gaming machineconfiguration 810, wherein the modified gaming machine configuration 811integrates a mode selector 890. The mode selector 890 toggles between astandard bill and voucher ticket mode and an electronic financial mode.In the electronic financial mode, the mode selector 890 activates anelectronic money handling system 892. The activated electronic moneyhandling system 892 provides communication between the gaming machinemain controller 812 and the electronic money management system 870.

The voucher ticket system can utilize an automated system for exchangingcurrency 560 and coins 562, such as the exemplary voucher ticketautomated processing unit 910 illustrated in FIG. 13. The voucher ticketautomated processing unit 910 includes functional components forprocessing the currency 560 and coins 562 and dispensing a casino Avoucher ticket 514 of an equivalent value. A processing circuit assembly920 includes a central processing unit 922, a digital memory device 924,and other electrical components to form a circuit. The circuit enablesfunctional operation of the voucher ticket automated processing unit910. It is a general practice for each gaming facility to utilize theirown custom encryption for generation of the computer readable reference(similar to the computer readable value reference 332). Small volumes ofdigital data can be stored within the digital memory device 924. Thedigital memory device 924 can be solid-state memory. Larger volumes ofdigital data are preferably stored in a general memory storage device930. The general memory storage device 930 can utilize one or more discdrives, tape drives, or larger solid-state memory banks. The systemwould include an encoding protocol 932 or the encryption coding specificto the gaming facility. The encoding protocol 932 can be stored withinthe digital memory device 924, within the general memory storage device930, or embedded within other portions of the circuit. A display monitor940 is integrated into the voucher ticket automated processing unit 910and provided in signal communication with the processing circuitassembly 920. The display monitor 940 provides a visual display toinform the user of any necessary steps required for the transaction aswell as the status of the exchange. The display monitor 940 can be usedfor other options, such as marketing, and the like when the voucherticket automated processing unit 910 is sitting idle. The displaymonitor 940 can be fabricated to include a touch screen function,wherein the touch screen function enables user input through a graphicaluser interface (GUI).

A user input device 942 is integrated into the voucher ticket automatedprocessing unit 910 and provided in signal communication with theprocessing circuit assembly 920. The user input device 942 enablesmanual entry of data, instructions, and the like.

A bill validator and input slot 950 enables insertion of the currency560 and coins 562 into the voucher ticket automated processing unit 910.The bill validator and input slot 950 can include a bill validator, acoin operator, and the like for ingesting, valuating, and storing thecurrency 560 and coins 562. The bill validator and the coin operator arein signal communication with the processing circuit assembly 920. Thevalue of the inserted currency 560 and coins 562 is determined by thebill validator, the processing circuit assembly 920, or any otherintegrated component designated for the specific function. After thequantity of currency 560 and coins 562 is deposited within the billvalidator and input slot 950, the voucher ticket automated processingunit 910 determines the total financial face value of the quantity ofdeposited currency 560 and coins 562. Upon instruction, a printed anddischarge slot 952 would print and dispense the casino A voucher ticket514, wherein the casino A voucher ticket 514 would have a valuerespective to the value of the inserted currency 560 and coins 562.

Gaming facilities 510, 520, 530 can be located independently or inclusters. Each gaming facility 510, 520, 530 provides voucher tickets514, 524, 534 that are encrypted in accordance with the gamingfacilities specific encryption coding. This scenario dictates that eachvoucher ticket 514, 524, 534 be used and redeemed at the respectivegaming facility. Should the player desire to go to a different gamingfacility 510, 520, 530, the player would have to cash out their voucherticket(s) 514, 524, 534 at the first gaming facility, then convert thefunds to a voucher ticket for another gaming facility. Theimplementation of a voucher ticket exchange process would reduce thetwo-step process to a one step process, thus giving the player more timefor gaming. Variations of exchange processes are presented in FIGS. 14through 17.

A generic conceptual schematic diagram of a voucher ticket exchangeprocess is presented in FIG. 14. The exemplary schematic diagramutilizes three gaming facilities, a casino A 510, a casino B 520, and acasino C 530. Each gaming facility includes their own respective voucherticket database server 512, 522, 532. Each voucher ticket databaseserver 512, 522, 532 maintains records respective to each issued voucherticket 514, 524, 534. The player would provide a voucher ticket clearinghouse 540 with the issued voucher ticket 514, 524, 534 they obtainedfrom the gaming facility 510, 520, 530 and request one or more exchangedvoucher tickets 516, 526, 536. The voucher ticket clearing house 540would collect the issued voucher ticket 514, 524, 534 from the playerand disburse the requested one or more exchanged voucher tickets 516,526, 536. The exchanged voucher tickets 516, 526, 536 can be of a valueequal to the value of the collected voucher ticket 514, 524, 534, or thevoucher ticket clearing house 540 can optionally include a processingfee 544 and issue the requested one or more exchanged voucher tickets516, 526, 536 at a value reduced by the exchange rate as suggested inFIG. 15.

A conceptual schematic diagram of a physical voucher ticket exchangeprocess is presented in FIG. 15. The voucher ticket clearing house 540retains an inventory of exchange voucher tickets 516, 526, 536. Thevoucher ticket clearing house 540 arranges a physical voucher tickettransfer program with each gaming facility 510, 520, 530. The physicalvoucher ticket exchange process collects the undesired issued vouchertickets 514, 524, 534 from players and distributes voucher tickets 516,526, 536 respective to the requested casino. The voucher tickets 516,526, 536 would be distributed to replace the undesired issued vouchertickets 514, 524, 534, wherein the voucher tickets 516, 526, 536 wouldbe of equal or lower value than the undesired issued voucher tickets514, 524, 534. The voucher ticket clearing house 540 would provide theprocessing 542. As previously mentioned, the voucher ticket clearinghouse 540 can include a processing fee 544 for completing the exchange.The voucher ticket clearing house 540 would retain an inventory ofvoucher tickets 516, 526, 536 having predetermined valuation range foreach gaming facility 510, 520, 530. Each gaming facility 510, 520, 530retains information regarding valuation, status and the like pertainingto the player held voucher tickets 516, 526, 536 and the clearing houseinventory voucher tickets 516, 526, 536 in a respective voucher ticketdatabase server 512, 522, 532. In the example presented in FIG. 15, theplayer is exchanging a casino A voucher ticket 514 from casino A 510 fora casino C exchanged voucher ticket 536 issued by casino C 530. Thevaluation of the casino C exchanged voucher ticket 536 can be equal toor less than the valuation of the casino A voucher ticket 514.

A second exemplary embodiment utilizes the voucher ticket automatedprocessing unit 910 as an exchange machine, as illustrated in theschematic diagram presented in FIG. 16. The voucher ticket automatedprocessing unit 910 can be operated by the player or an employee of thevoucher ticket clearing house 540.

The player can enter the name of the gaming facility associated with theundesired issued voucher ticket(s) 514, 524, 534. The player also entersthe name of the gaming facility associated with the desired replacementvoucher tickets 516, 526, 536. In a condition where an exchange rate 544is applied, the voucher ticket automated processing unit 910 wouldnotify the player of the exchange rate 544 prior to completing theexchange process.

The undesired issued voucher ticket(s) 514, 524, 534 are inserted intothe bill validator and input slot 950. The voucher ticket automatedprocessing unit 910 would scan the computer readable value reference 332of the inserted undesired issued voucher ticket(s) 514, 524, 534, decodethe computer readable value reference 332, determine if the ticket isvalid, and determine the value of the undesired issued voucher ticket(s)514, 524, 534. In a condition where the exchange rate 544 is applied,the voucher ticket automated processing unit 910 would calculate areduction in the total valuation of the inserted undesired issuedvoucher ticket(s) 514, 524, 534, and subsequently print and dispense areplacement voucher ticket 516, 526, 536 for use at the requested gamingfacility 510, 520, 530. It is noted that the casino B exchanged voucherticket 526 would be encoded in accordance with the respective secondencoding protocol 934.

In the example presented in FIG. 16, the player is exchanging a casino Avoucher ticket 514 from casino A 510 for a casino B exchanged voucherticket 526 associated with a casino B 520. The exemplary valuation ofthe casino B exchanged voucher ticket 526 is reduced from the valuationof the casino A voucher ticket 514 by the voucher ticket exchangecommission fee 544, wherein in the example, the commission in 10%, or$6.00. The process can additionally include a revised issued date. Inthe illustrated example, the casino A voucher ticket 514 was issued fromcasino A 510 on Jun. 1, 2013. The exchanged voucher ticket 526associated with casino B 520 includes an issue date of Jun. 15, 2013.

The exchanged voucher ticket 526 can retain the issue date of theoriginal voucher ticket 514 or the process can establish a new issuedate, identified as a casino B exchanged electronic voucher ticket issuedate 528. The process can address the issue date in any of a variety ofsolutions. In a first solution, the process can retain the originalissue date and originally established expiration date. In a secondsolution, the process can increment the issue date and retain theoriginally established expiration date. In a third solution, the processcan increment the issue date and increment the expiration date. Theexpiration date can be incremented by a pre-established period of time.The time period can be based upon the originally established issue date,the exchanged electronic voucher ticket issue date 528, or any othersuitable time. The updated information resulting from the exchangeprocess would be incorporated into the exchanged voucher ticket 526 andrecorded at each respective voucher ticket database server 512, 522. Theinformation can additionally be encoded in the encoded, computer ormachine-readable image, such as a barcode, a Quick Read or QR code, andthe like. It is understood that the exchanged voucher ticket 526 canhave continuously resetting expiration period, an effective indefiniteexpiration or exclusive of an expiration date.

The above examples are directed towards paper voucher ticket 310. Thesame concept can be applied to the electronic voucher tickets 410, asillustrated in the exemplary schematic diagram presented in FIG. 17. Theundesired issued voucher ticket(s) 514, 524, 534 are read by the voucherticket automated processing unit 910. The reading process can beaccomplished by scanning an image of a casino A electronic voucherticket 515 displayed upon the smartphone display 404 of the smartphone400, wireless communication between the smartphone 400 and the voucherticket automated processing unit 910 wherein the voucher ticket istransmitted to the voucher ticket automated processing unit 910, and thelike. The exchange process would include an additional step ofvalidating the casino A electronic voucher ticket 515 with the casino Avoucher ticket database server 512. The voucher ticket automatedprocessing unit 910 would subsequently communicate with the casino Bvoucher ticket database server 522 to obtain or purchase a financialvalue for issuance of a casino B exchanged electronic voucher ticket527. Alternatively, the voucher ticket clearing house 540 can retain anaccount having a value for use for issuance and credits of vouchertickets 515, 527 for each partnered gaming facility 510, 520, 530. Thereplacement voucher ticket 516, 526, 536 is conveyed to the smartphone400 using a wired or wireless transmission. Alternatively, an image ofthe entire replacement voucher ticket 516, 526, 536 or a representativecomputer readable value reference 332 can be displayed upon the displaymonitor 940. The player would utilize the camera 409 to obtain a digitalimage of the displayed information and the smartphone 400 would properlyinterpret and convert the acquired image into an electronic replacementvoucher ticket 516, 526, 536.

In the example presented in FIG. 17, the player is exchanging a casino Aelectronic voucher ticket 515 from casino A 510 for a casino B exchangedelectronic voucher ticket 527 associated with the casino B 520. Changesin valuation are not presented in this example.

The issuing casino voucher ticket 514 can be operationally converted toan exchanged electronic voucher ticket 527 through the voucher ticketclearing house 540, as illustrated in FIG. 18. The smartphone 400 wouldobtain a digital image of the issuing casino voucher ticket 514 using acamera 409 integrated into the smartphone 400. The smartphone 400 wouldcommunicate a digital image or other digital representation of theissuing casino voucher ticket 514 (representing a exchanged electronicvoucher ticket 527) to the voucher ticket clearing house 540. Thevoucher ticket clearing house 540 is in encoded digital communicationwith the issuing casino voucher ticket database server 512 of theissuing casino 510. The voucher ticket clearing house 540 forwards thedigital representation of the exchanged electronic voucher ticket 527 tothe issuing casino voucher ticket database server 512 using any securedwired or wireless communication interface. Either the voucher ticketclearing house 540 or the issuing casino voucher ticket database server512 decodes and interprets the digital representation of the exchangedelectronic voucher ticket 527 into a format that is compatible with thedatabase of the issuing casino voucher ticket database server 512. Theissuing casino voucher ticket database server 512 determines thevalidity of the issuing casino voucher ticket 514 (based upon theinformation provided as the exchanged electronic voucher ticket 527),and records data respective to a conversion of the issuing casinovoucher ticket 514 to the exchanged electronic voucher ticket 527. Theissuing casino voucher ticket database server 512 can optionallygenerate and return a revised and/or encoded image of the exchangedelectronic voucher ticket 527 to the smartphone 400. This step can beused to introduce additional security measures into the process andresulting exchanged electronic voucher ticket 527. Alternatively, theissuing casino voucher ticket database server 512 would cancel theoriginally issued issuing casino voucher ticket 514 and generate andreturn a newly issued voucher in a form of a exchanged electronicvoucher ticket 527.

The user can request that the voucher ticket clearing house 540 can beexchanged from the issuing Casino or other gaming facility 510 to adifferent, desired exchanging Casino other gaming facility 520. Whenbeing exchanged, the server 512 associated with the issuing Casino orgaming facility 510 would be notified of the exchange. The serverassociated with the exchanging Casino or gaming facility 520 would alsobe notified of the exchange. The voucher ticket clearing house 540 wouldarrange a transfer of funds between the issuing casino voucher ticketdatabase server 512 and the exchanging casino voucher ticket databaseserver 522. The process can include a fee paid to the voucher ticketclearing house 540 for their services for completing the exchange.

A schematic diagram detailing basic components of an electronic moneytransaction system 1000 is presented in FIG. 19. An electronic moneytransaction server 1010 comprises various elements to support theelectronic money transaction system 1000. The electronic moneytransaction server 1010 includes an account transaction managementsystem 1020, which is in digital data communication with an accounttransaction management database 1029. The account transaction managementsystem 1020 and account transaction management database 1029 combinationprovide the financial transaction and data retention portion of theelectronic money transaction server 1010. The electronic moneytransaction server 1010 further includes a series of subsystems arrangedto interactively communicate with various external devices. A voucherticket management system interface 1022 provides communication betweenthe account transaction management segment 1020 and a voucher ticketmanagement system 1030. An electronic money handling terminal interface1024 provides communication between the account transaction managementsegment 1020 and a voucher ticket automated processing unit 910Amessaging interface 1026 provides communication between the accounttransaction management segment 1020 and a messaging server 1040. A userterminal interface 1028 provides communication between the accounttransaction management segment 1020 and a user terminal, such as theSmartphone 400.

The voucher ticket management system 1030 provides a physical interfacefor the player to obtain voucher tickets 310, 410, exchange money forvoucher tickets 310, 410, deposit funds into the player's digitalaccount, and the like. The voucher ticket management system interface1022 would be adapted to support a protocol for interfacing with thevoucher ticket management system 1030. The voucher ticket managementsystem interface 1022 would preferably be adapted to support a pluralityof interfaces, broadening the adaptability of the voucher ticketmanagement system interface 1022 to a variety of available managementsystems 1030. The voucher ticket management system 1030 is preferably asan automated machine, but could be provided at a cashier's station. In aconfiguration where the voucher ticket management system 1030 is througha cashier's station, the casher would interface with a terminal or othercomputing device configured to communicate with the voucher ticketmanagement system interface 1022. The communication link between thevoucher ticket management system interface 1022 and the voucher ticketmanagement system 1030 can be wired, wireless, or both. It is understoodthat the voucher ticket management system interface 1022 and the voucherticket management system 1030 can be integrated into a singleunit/solution or separate as illustrated.

The electronic money handling terminal interface 1024 includes circuitryand associated instruction set (software) to provide an electronic moneyhandling terminal interface. The process is directed towards anapplication for using voucher tickets 310, 410 for play on any voucherticket automated processing unit 910. The voucher tickets 310, 410 canbe sourced from the voucher ticket management system 1030 or through thebill validator and input slot 950 integrated into the voucher ticketautomated processing unit 910. The bill validator and input slot 950would be provided in digital data communication with the electronicmoney handling terminal interface 1024 or directly with the accounttransaction management segment 1020. The bill validator and input slot950 would communicate the payment processing status to the processingcircuit assembly 920, wherein the processing circuit assembly 920 wouldcontrol operation of a gaming portion of the voucher ticket automatedprocessing unit 910. Alternatively, payment for credits/play using thevoucher ticket automated processing unit 910 can be provided through thevoucher ticket management system 1030, wherein the voucher ticketmanagement system 1030 would communicate directly with the processingcircuit assembly 920. It is understood that these are only exemplaryconfigurations and that the digital data communication between thevoucher ticket automated processing unit 910 and the account transactionmanagement segment 1020 can be provided in any suitable arrangement.

The messaging interface 1026 provides a messaging service to the accountholder. The account transaction management segment 1020 would determinewhen appropriate messages should be conveyed to the account holder basedupon any criteria. The criteria can be pre-established, updated,provided as an intermediary, or any other suitable trigger condition.The messaging interface 1026 forwards the appropriate message ormessages to the messaging server 1040. The appropriate message ormessages would include a target address. The messaging server 1040utilizes the target address to direct the message to the account holderaccordingly. The messaging server 1040 forwards the message to thetarget recipient in accordance with the format instructed by themessaging interface 1026. This can include simple mail transfer protocol(SMTP), commonly referred to as e-mail; short message service (SMS),commonly referred to as text messaging, push, or server push, which is astyle of Internet-based communication where the request for a giventransaction is initiated by the publisher or central server; and thelike. The messaging service can be provided as a unidirectionalconfiguration or a bi-directional configuration.

The user and electronic money transaction server 1010 can communicatewith one another through a user terminal, represented by the Smartphone400. The communication can be provided through a data system, such asthe Internet; a wireless interface such as Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, Near FieldCommunications, and the like; infra-red, or any other communication linkprovided on a fixed or portable computing device. The communications canbe unidirectional or a bi-directional, based upon the desired endresult.

The cash-out process can be accomplished using any of a variety ofprocesses, including issuing a paper voucher ticket 310, issuing anelectronic voucher ticket 410, completing an electronic transfer of thefinancial value to the account transaction management segment 1020, andthe like. The voucher ticket automated processing unit 910 can offeroptional voucher ticket output configurations to the player. The voucherticket automated processing unit 910 can be configured to offer issuanceof either a paper voucher ticket 310 or an electronic voucher ticket410. The output configuration can be established using any of a varietyof inputs. A first exemplary basis to establish a cash-out mode would befrom a selection made by the player or account owner. The player oraccount owner can select a desired output from either a paper voucherticket mode or an electronic transfer mode. In a condition where thecash-out mode is established as the paper voucher ticket mode, theprinter prints a paper voucher ticket 310. In a condition where thecash-out mode is established as the electronic transfer mode, thevoucher ticket automated processing unit 910 transfers the associatedbalance to the account transaction management segment 1020.

The cash-out mode can be established based upon a current condition ofthe system. The system can optionally include a feature to convey thecurrent cash-out mode to the player or user. This can include a visualindicator, such as a light, a colored light, a text message, a backlightstenciled message, and the like; an audible indicator, such as anaudible output; a printed output, and the like. The system can include afeature enabling the player or user an ability to request to change thecash-out mode. One example of a selection feature could include at leastone button, where the user would actuate the button accordingly. In apreferred variant, the system would include two buttons, wherein a firstof the two buttons is associated with the paper voucher ticket mode anda second of the two buttons is associated with the electronic transfermode. The player or user would select the button associated with thedesired cash-out mode to establish or change the cash-out mode.

In one configuration, the system can default to cash-out mode to be thepaper voucher ticket mode. This would be independent of the mode inwhich the funds are initially provided to the system. In one alternativeconfiguration, the default mode can be established by the mode in whichthe funds are initially provided to the system. In a condition where thefunds are initially provided using a paper voucher ticket 310, thedefault cash-out mode would be established as the paper voucher ticketmode. In a condition where the funds are initially provided using anelectronic voucher ticket 410, the default cash-out mode would beestablished as the electronic transfer mode.

The configuration of the system can include trigger functions to directa player or user to select the desired cash-out mode. For example, thesystem can direct the player or user to select the desired cash-out modewhen the pending financial credit value is equal to zero. In anotherexample, the system can direct the player or user to select the desiredcash-out mode when the pending financial credit value is greater thanzero.

In another configuration, the cash-out mode can default to a papervoucher ticket mode when the pending financial credit value equals zero.The cash-out mode can optionally be configured to return to thepreviously established cash-out mode upon replenishment of credits tothe gaming machine 910.

In yet another configuration, the currently established cash-out modecan be converted to the paper voucher ticket mode when the gamingmachine 910 receives submission of a financial transfer thereto toincrease the available financial based credit, wherein the financialtransfer originates from a source that differs from the electronic moneyaccount 1230, 1232, 1234, 1236, 1238, 1239 associated with theelectronic ticket voucher 410.

In yet another configuration, the currently established cash-out modecan be converted to the paper voucher ticket mode from the electronictransfer mode when the gaming machine receives submission of a financialtransfer thereto to increase the available financial based credit,wherein the financial transfer is accomplished using at least one of apaper bill and a paper voucher ticket.

In another configuration, the cash-out mode can default to a papervoucher ticket mode when the system encounters any of the followingconditions:

-   -   (a) the mode is not in the electronic money management mode when        the electronic money handling section receives the request to        store the voucher ticket master ID to the electronic money        management system,    -   (b) the electronic money handling section does not have an        effective and authenticated account associated with the        electronic funds of the player,    -   (c) the electronic money handling section fails in one of        sending a request to store the voucher ticket master ID at the        electronic money management system or receiving a result of the        storing of the voucher ticket master ID from the electronic        money management system, and    -   (d) the electronic money handling section receives the result of        the failure to store the voucher ticket master ID from the        electronic money management system.

The system can include a feature enabling storage of the electronicvoucher ticket information, particularly directed to a scenario wherethe gaming machine does not recognize the authenticated electronic moneyaccount. This can include an automated process when the gaming machinedoes not recognize the authenticated electronic money account, is unableto communicate with the account transaction management segment 1020, orany other scenario where the information may not be completelytransferred between the gaming machine and the account transactionmanagement segment 1020. This process can optionally employ a userinterface input device, such as a button, enabling the user to requestthat the system store the electronic voucher ticket information.

The system can include a feature enabling printout of a receipt. Theprinted receipt can include at least one of: a cash-out amount, aninitial credit submission, a partial transaction history, a completetransaction history, or any other information that would be appropriate.In one example, the printed receipt can include a complete history of atleast one of the voucher ticket information and voucher ticket andelectronic money account transactions.

The system can retain a history of statistical information associatedwith the processing of at least one of:

(a) paper bills,

(b) paper voucher tickets,

(c) electronic money, and

(d) electronic voucher tickets,

The history of statistical information associated with the processingcan be stored in any suitable digital memory format and associateddigital memory device. In one example, the information can be stored ina removable memory module.

The process of employing voucher tickets 310, 410 requires a method toensure the voucher tickets 310, 410 and associated financial systemremain secure. One proposed method to ensure the authenticity of thevoucher tickets 310, 410 would be to introduce an electronic markingsystem, as introduced in an exemplary voucher ticket marking process1100 presented in FIG. 20. The voucher ticket marking process 1100 isrepresentative of a subroutine that can be inserted into any voucherticket processing instruction set. The process utilized informationprovided by the electronic money transaction server 1010. Communicationwith the electronic money transaction server 1010 is referenced by thenetwork communication node 1110 illustrated at a start and an end of thevoucher ticket marking process 1100. The device receives and validatesreceipt of the appropriate voucher ticket marking requirements from theelectronic money transaction server 1010 (decision step 1112). In acondition where the received voucher ticket marking is consideredacceptable, the process continues. In a condition where the receivedvoucher ticket marking is not received or considered unacceptable, theprocess submits a subsequent request for the appropriate voucher ticketmarking requirements. The user forwards the electronic voucher ticket410 to the receiving device (step 1114). Upon receipt of the electronicvoucher ticket 410 from the electronic voucher ticket submitter, thespecific voucher ticket 410 is selected and subsequently marked inaccordance with the appropriate voucher ticket marking requirements(step 1116).

The electronic voucher tickets 410 are managed through the accounttransaction management segment 1020 and stored in any suitableinformation storage configuration, such as one or more tables providedin one or more databases. A voucher ticket (TITO) account table 1200utilizes a voucher ticket (TITO) account number listing 1210 to retain aseries of player's accounts, as presented in FIG. 21. Each account isindentified by an account number 1230, 1232, 1234, 1236, 1238, 1239. Theaccount number 1230, 1232, 1234, 1236, 1238, 1239 provides a continuitylink identifying other associated elements. One exemplary data elementis an electronic account (e-money) financial balance, as represented bya list of voucher ticket (TITO) account financial balances 1212. Asecond exemplary data element is a message destination table segment1220. The message destination table segment 1220 can include a number ofdifferent protocols for communicating with the account owner. Theexemplary voucher ticket (TITO) account table 1200 presents threeexemplary listings, including an email address listing 1222, a shortmessage service (SMS) number listing 1224, and any other notificationlisting 1226. The email address listing 1222 would include one or moreemail addresses for each account number. The short message service (SMS)number listing 1224 would include one or more short message services(SMS) (text message) addresses for each account number. The othernotification listing 1226 can list any other suitable address forcontacting the account owner. This can include mailing addresses,landline voice telephone numbers, or any other suitable manner tocontact the account owner. The other notification listing 1226 isrepresentative of a catch all option. It is understood that otherdedicated listings can be added to accommodate any other suitableaddress for contacting the account owner.

A stored voucher ticket (TITO) status table 1250 utilizes the voucherticket (TITO) account number listing 1210 to associate and manage one ormore voucher tickets 310, 410 of a series of player's accounts, aspresented in FIG. 22. The stored voucher ticket (TITO) status table 1250manages and retains information associated with each voucher ticket.Each voucher ticket 410 includes a local identifier, as listed in avoucher ticket (TITO) local identification reference 1260 and a masteridentifier as listed in a voucher ticket (TITO) master identificationreference 1262. The local identifier is used for identification of thevoucher ticket 410. The master identifier is used for identification ofthe voucher ticket 410. The stored voucher ticket (TITO) status table1250 retains a financial value associated with each voucher ticket, aslisted in a voucher ticket (TITO) financial value 1264. The storedvoucher ticket (TITO) status table 1250 can include a voucher ticket(TITO) status 1266, which identifies the current status of each of thelisted voucher tickets 410. Examples of current status of the vouchertickets 410 include currently valid, considered invalid, consideredexpired, and currently pending. The stored voucher ticket (TITO) statustable 1250 can include a voucher ticket (TITO) expiration 1268, whichidentifies the established expiration date and time of each of thelisted voucher tickets 310, 410. The voucher ticket (TITO) expiration1268 can include other references, such as “unknown” in a conditionwhere there is an issue with the expiration date and pending in acondition where the voucher ticket 410 is currently in a pending stateand the expiration has not yet been established.

An additional feature associated with each voucher ticket 410 is anelectronic marker. The electronic markers can be stored on a voucherticket (TITO) marking table 1270, as shown in the exemplary tablepresented in FIG. 23. Each voucher ticket 410 would be associated with aplayer's account 1230, 1232, 1234, 1239. It is noted that each player'saccount can be associated with one or more voucher tickets 310, 410. Forexample, the first account listing 1230 is associated with threedifferent voucher tickets 310, 410 (1010057Z, 0000036X, 3175041A), asshown in a column identifying the voucher ticket (TITO) masteridentification references 1280. The electronic marking can be atimestamp when the voucher ticket 410 is issued out, returned into theaccount, or any other time associated with an activity of the voucherticket, as shown in a column identifying a voucher ticket (TITO) markeddate 1282 and a paired column identifying a voucher ticket (TITO) markedtimestamp 1284. The 3510547S exemplifies a condition where a marking forthe voucher ticket 410 is currently pending.

An exemplary voucher ticket (TITO) voucher ticket withdrawal process1300 is presented in FIG. 24. The process initiates (step 1310) with arequest to withdraw a voucher ticket 410 (step 1320) from a voucherticket automated processing unit 910 of a kiosk or a gaming machine. Therequest can be submitted through the voucher ticket management system1030, the user terminal (such as the Smartphone 400), a cashier, or anyother process adapted to submit the request. The account transactionmanagement segment 1020 returns a list of voucher tickets 410 associatedwith the player's account 1230, 1332, 1234, 1239 as shown in FIG. 22.The user selects a voucher ticket 410 from the list of voucher tickets410 associated with the player's account 1230, 1332, 1234, 1239 (step1322). The process continues by determining if the voucher ticket 410 ismarked (step 1324) as shown in FIG. 23. The process reviews the list ofvoucher tickets 410 to determine if the voucher ticket 410 is marked(decision step 1324). In a condition where the process determines thatthe voucher ticket 410 is not marked, the process returns a “no markedvoucher ticket” message to the user (step 1332) and terminates theprocess (step 1340). In a condition where the process determines thatthe voucher ticket 410 is marked, the process verifies that the markingis within a valid time frame (decision step 1326). In a condition wherethe process determines that the voucher ticket 410 is marked and thatthe voucher ticket 410 is not within the valid time frame, the processreturns a “no marked voucher ticket” message to the user (step 1332) andterminates the process (step 1340). In a condition where the processdetermines that the voucher ticket 410 is marked and that the voucherticket 410 is within the valid time frame, the process issues thevoucher ticket (master ID) to the user (step 1330) and terminates theprocess (step 1340).

It is understood that the system and associated processes disclosed foruse with a voucher ticket automated processing unit 910 can be adaptedto an Automated Teller Machine (ATM) or any other automated financialtransacting machine. For example, the Automated Teller Machine (ATM)would include a bill validator that is adapted to validate both paperbills and a paper voucher ticket. The Automated Teller Machine (ATM)would include a communication link to the voucher ticket managementsystem interface 1022, which is in communication with the accounttransaction management segment 1020. The voucher ticket automatedprocessing unit 910 and/or the Automated Teller Machine (ATM) wouldinclude an input device for receiving electronic money from an externalmedia, wherein the input device would be at least one of: a magneticstrip card reader, an integrated smart card reader, a barcode scanner, aQuick Read (QR) code scanner, a near field communication (NFC) signalreader, a short range RF signal reader, a radio frequency identification(RFID) signal reader, and the like.

It is understood that the above presented exemplary exchange embodimentscan be tailored by mixing the processes. For example, the player caninsert a paper voucher ticket 310 into the voucher ticket automatedprocessing unit 910 and request an electronic voucher ticket 410 as anexchanged output.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The present invention is applicable to electronic payment systems forautomated machines such as gaming machines, automated teller machines,vending machines, money exchangers or other money-operated equipment orapparatus.

Ref. No's Description 99 electronic payment system 100 automated machine110 gaming hardware 120 drive device 130 bill acceptor 132 passageway134 inlet sensor 135 bill sensor 136 control device 138 memory device139 stacker 140 automatic payment device 142 financial database 144ticket voucher database 146 gaming facility host server 150communications device 152 communications interface 154 signal processor156 converter 158 leap forward gaming 160 printer 170 readout device 172mobile digital storage device 180 visual and/or acoustic display device182 entry device 184 force-quit button 190 mobile terminal 192 CPU 193digital storage device 194 user entry device 196 wireless communicationsystem 198 wireless signal receiving system 199 user 200 first financialprocess flow diagram 201 entry and transfer of a financial value andauthorization information step 202 forwarding of received financialvalue and authorization information step 203 credit check or any otherassociated transaction validation process completed by bill validatorstep 204 authorization approval and balance check for available funds inaccount step 205 feedback of balance check and authorization to the billvalidator step 206 bill validator communicates the outcome of therequest (accepted or denied) to the user step 207 user enters theelectronic voucher ticket into the bill validator associated with theautomated machine step 208 automated machine digitally conveys thetransaction to the gaming facility host server step 209 gaming facilityhost server provides feedback to the auto- mated machine on whether theelectronic voucher ticket is accepted or rejected step 210 user beginsplay on the gaming machine step 220 financial process flow diagram 221user submitting a request for tendering payment for issuance of creditsonto the electronic voucher ticket step 222 mobile wallet server issuesand forwards the electronic voucher ticket to the Smartphone step 223Smartphone communicates information associated with the electronicvoucher ticket to the bill validator via the near field communicationsdevice step 224 bill validator can optionally transfer a request toprint a paper voucher ticket to the printer step 225 paper voucherticket is dispensed and provided to the user step 226 user enters eitherthe paper voucher ticket or the elec- tronic voucher ticket into thebill validator for use with an associated automated machine step 227bill validator forwards information directly or indirectly to the gamingfacility host server step 228 bill validator forwards informationdirectly or indirectly to the gaming facility host server step 229gaming facility host server provides feedback to the auto- mated machineon whether the electronic voucher ticket is accepted or rejected step230 user begins play on the gaming machine step 240 financial processflow diagram 241 user submitting a request for issuance of credits ontothe electronic voucher ticket step 242 request is entered using anapplication on the Smartphone via a communication with the near fieldcommunications device step 243 near field communications device forwardsthe information via a digital communication link with the bill validatorstep 244 bill validator forwards the information directly or indirectlyto the gaming facility host server 245 bill validator forwards theinformation directly or indirectly to the gaming facility host server246 “gaming facility host server, in conjunction with the auto- matedmachine, tallies any tendered balance, concludes play of the game, andissues a digital electronic voucher ticket step” 247 new electronicvoucher ticket is forwarded to the near field communications device step248 new electronic voucher ticket is transferred to the Smartphone usingnear field communication protocol step 310 paper voucher ticket 312paper voucher ticket substrate 320 casino identifier 322 master ticketidentifier 324 local ticket identifier 326 voucher ticket issue date 328voucher ticket expiration date 330 human readable value reference 332computer readable value reference 400 Smartphone 402 Smartphone housing404 Smartphone display 405 Smartphone mechanical user control interface406 microphone 408 speaker 409 camera 410 electronic voucher ticket 412digitizing image 420 casino identifier 422 master ticket identifier 424local ticket identifier 426 voucher ticket issue date 428 voucher ticketexpiration date 430 human legible value reference 432 computer legiblevalue reference 510 casino A 512 casino A voucher ticket database server514 casino A voucher ticket 515 casino A electronic voucher ticket 516casino A exchanged voucher ticket 520 casino B 522 casino B voucherticket database server 524 casino B voucher ticket 526 casino Bexchanged voucher ticket 527 casino B exchanged electronic voucherticket 528 casino B exchanged electronic voucher ticket issue date 529casino B exchanged electronic voucher ticket expiration date 530 casinoC 532 casino C voucher ticket database server 534 casino C voucherticket 536 casino C exchanged voucher ticket 540 voucher ticket clearinghouse 542 ticket exchange process 544 voucher ticket exchange commissionfee 560 currency 562 coins 580 e-money or ticket voucher managementsystem 582 player's e-money account 590 player's cards 592 player'scards 594 player's cards 596 player's cards 600 electronic financialprocess flow 610 voucher ticket print-out mode (idle) step 612 insertmagnetic strip carrying card step 614 insert ticket voucher step 620enter e-account information step 622 determining if the enterede-account information is consistent with the information stored on thecasino voucher ticket database server decision step 624 transferring anew electronic voucher ticket to the Smartphone step 626 print anddispense a new paper voucher ticket step 628 idle step 630 entering thee-account information into the gaming machine step 632 determine if theentered information is consistent with the information stored on thecasino voucher ticket database server decision step 636 rejection of therequest for entry of a financial value step 638 process termination/idlestep 640 toggling into an electronic money management mode step 642request to cash out step 644 player can continue playing (i.e. playermaintains a positive credit) step 646 insert a magnetic card into thegame machine to identify the player step 648 “insert a bill, a papervoucher ticket, or the like into the game machine step” 649 would enterthe e-account information step 650 clear the account step 652 idle stagestep 660 clear the pending account step 670 determine if the enterede-account information is the same as the e-account currently pending inthe game machine decision step 672 player decision to increase thepending credit value decision step 674 “player elects to continueplaying with the pending credit, the system continues play using e-moneystep” 676 player enters the associated e-account and authorizationinformation step 678 system determines an inconsistency between enteredinformation account information and notifies the player of theinconsistency and rejects a request for an e- account transfer step 679upload and apply the financial value to the pending credits step 680player enter authorization and a financial transaction to apply creditsstep 682 request presented to player to enter the associated e-accountand authorization information step 686 player rejects a request toupload additional credits step 688 gaming machine returns to an idlecondition step 700 bill validator system 710 e-money integrated billvalidator structure 720 upper communication control 730 gaming statuswatching 732 image processing and paper processing 734 mode selector 736printing process control 740 electronic money handling 742 input controldevice 744 device dependent drivers 750 network communications 760electronic money management system 770 gaming machine operational system800 gaming machine network 801 modified gaming machine network 810gaming machine configuration 811 modified gaming machine configuration812 gaming machine main controller 814 host communication controller 820user interface management 822 monitor controller 824 audio controller826 input management 830 wager gaming processor 840 peripheralcontroller 842 printer 844 bill validator 850 player card accountmanagement 852 magnetic card reader 860 network communications 870electronic money management system 880 casino hosts 890 mode selector892 electronic money handling system 910 voucher ticket automatedprocessing unit 920 processing circuit assembly 922 central processingunit 924 digital memory device 930 general memory storage device 932encoding protocol 934 second encoding protocol 940 display monitor 942user input device 950 bill validator and input slot 952 printed anddischarge slot 1000 electronic money transaction system 1010 electronicmoney transaction server 1020 account transaction management segment1022 voucher ticket management system interface 1024 electronic moneyhandling terminal interface 1026 messaging interface 1028 user terminalinterface 1029 account transaction management database 1030 voucherticket management system 1040 messaging server 1100 voucher ticketmarking process 1110 network communication node 1112 received voucherticket (TITO) marking requirement decision step 1114 receive voucherticket (TITO) from user terminal step 1116 select voucher ticket (TITO)and mark voucher ticket according to marking requirement step 1200voucher ticket (TITO) account table 1210 voucher ticket (TITO) accountnumber listing 1212 voucher ticket (TITO) account financial balance 1220message destination table segment 1222 email address listing 1224 shortmessage service (SMS) number listing 1226 other notification listing1230 first account listings 1232 second account listing 1234 thirdaccount listing 1236 fourth account listing 1238 fifth account listing1239 nth account listing 1250 stored voucher ticket (TITO) status table1260 voucher ticket (TITO) local identification reference 1262 voucherticket (TITO) master identification reference 1264 voucher ticket (TITO)financial value 1266 voucher ticket (TITO) status 1268 voucher ticket(TITO) expiration 1270 voucher ticket (TITO) marking table 1280 voucherticket (TITO) master identification reference 1282 voucher ticket (TITO)marked date 1284 voucher ticket (TITO) marked timestamp 1300 voucherticket (TITO) voucher ticket withdrawal process 1310 voucher ticketwithdrawal process initialization step 1320 receive voucher ticket(TITO) withdrawal request from user terminal step 1322 select markedvoucher ticket (TITO) by account number step 1324 validate voucherticket (TITO) is marked decision step 1326 validate voucher ticket(TITO) marking is the current time stamp decision step 1330 returnvoucher ticket (TITO) to master index step 1332 return no marked voucherticket (TITO) is available step 1340 voucher ticket marking processtermination step

What is claimed are:
 1. A method of operating a gaming machine systemand managing a player's available playing credit, the method comprisingsteps of: operating a gaming machine controller integrated into a gamingmachine, the operation being accomplished in accordance with a series ofinstructions enabling a player to play a game on the gaming machinebased upon an available financial based credit; acquiring informationfrom an electronic ticket voucher through an electronic ticket voucherhandling circuit integrated into the gaming machine, wherein theinformation includes a voucher ticket master identification; sending arequest message to an electronic money management system to update avalue of the voucher ticket master ID as being in a cashed-out statewithin an electronic money account database managed by the electronicmoney management system; receiving a verification from the electronicmoney management system confirming the voucher ticket master ID isplaced in a cashed-out state; increasing the available financial basedcredit stored on the gaming machine controller; and displaying a visualindicator representative of the result of the voucher ticket storingrequest to the player.
 2. The method of operating a gaming machinesystem and managing a player's available playing credit as recited inclaim 1, the gaming machine further comprising an input control sectionincluding at least one input control button wherein one of the at leastone input control button is adapted to direct the gaming machine tostore the electronic voucher ticket information when the gaming machinedoes not recognize the authenticated electronic money account, furthercomprising steps of: actuating the input control button adapted todirect the gaming machine to store the electronic voucher ticketinformation when the gaming machine does not recognize the authenticatedelectronic money account; upon actuation, storing the electronic voucherticket information.
 3. The method of operating a gaming machine systemand managing a player's available playing credit as recited in claim 1,the gaming machine further comprising a peripheral control section, themethod further comprising steps of: initiated a receipt printing step byone of a user selection on the gaming machine or a received directive toprint the receipt, wherein the directive is received from the electronicmoney management system; and printing out a receipt which presents acomplete history of at least one of the voucher ticket information andvoucher ticket and electronic money account transactions.
 4. The methodof operating a gaming machine system and managing a player's availableplaying credit as recited in claim 1, the gaming machine furthercomprising a main control section, the method further comprising stepsof: conveying the voucher ticket master identification associated withthe electronic voucher ticket from the electronic money managementsystem to the main control section and sending the voucher ticket masteridentification from the main control section to a host communicationcontrol section of the gaming machine controller to request a credit-upof a pending financial credit value to play the game on the gamingmachine.
 5. The method of operating a gaming machine system and managinga player's available playing credit as recited in claim 1, the gamingmachine further comprising a user interface management section, themethod further comprising steps of: receiving a list of the voucherticket information from the electronic money management system,displaying the list of the voucher ticket information on a displaymonitor of the gaming machine, enabling selection, by the player, of oneor more voucher tickets from the list of the voucher ticket information;and sending a request to use the selected voucher ticket information tothe electronic money management system; receiving the voucher ticketmaster ID that is associated with the selected voucher ticketinformation requested by the user interface management section from theelectronic money management system; and conveying the voucher ticketmaster ID to the host communication control section to request thecredit-up to play the game on the gaming machine.
 6. The method ofoperating a gaming machine system and managing a player's availableplaying credit as recited in claim 7, the method further comprisingsteps of: wherein the step of conveying the voucher ticket master ID tothe host communication control section to request the credit-up to playthe game on the gaming machine is accomplished independent of theacceptance of the voucher ticket master ID by a casino host server.
 7. Amethod of operating a gaming machine system and managing a player'savailable playing credit, the method comprising steps of: operating agaming machine controller integrated into a gaming machine, theoperation being accomplished in accordance with a series of instructionsenabling a player to play a game on the gaming machine based upon anavailable financial based credit; acquiring information from anelectronic ticket voucher through an electronic ticket voucher handlingcircuit integrated into the gaming machine, wherein the informationincludes a voucher ticket master identification; sending a requestmessage to an electronic money management system to update a value ofthe voucher ticket master ID as being in a cashed-out state within anelectronic money account database managed by the electronic moneymanagement system; receiving a verification from the electronic moneymanagement system confirming the voucher ticket master ID is placed in acashed-out state; increasing the available financial based credit storedon the gaming machine controller; displaying a visual indicatorrepresentative of the result of the voucher ticket storing request tothe player; directing the player to establish a player selected cash-outmode, wherein the player selected cash-out mode is selected from a papervoucher ticket mode and an electronic transfer mode; wherein the papervoucher ticket mode directs a paper voucher ticket output representativeof the pending financial credit value, wherein the electronic transfermode directs a transfer of the pending balance to the electronic moneyaccount database; selecting a desired cash-out option of either thepaper voucher ticket mode or the electronic transfer mode.
 8. The methodof operating a gaming machine system and managing a player's availableplaying credit as recited in claim 7, the method further comprisingsteps of: cycling at least one play of the game on the gaming machine;adjusting the financial credit value based upon a cost and payout ofeach cycle of play on the gaming machine; in a condition where theplayer elected the paper voucher ticket mode, a paper voucher ticketprinter circuit in data communication with the gaming machine controllerprints and dispenses the paper voucher ticket, wherein the paper voucherticket includes indicia representative of the pending financial creditvalue; in a condition where the player elected the electronic transfermode, the electronic money handling section transfers the voucher ticketinformation and the pending financial credit value to the electronicmoney account;
 9. The method of operating a gaming machine system andmanaging a player's available playing credit as recited in claim 7, themethod further comprising a step of: establishing a default cash-outmode to become the paper voucher ticket mode prior to the step ofestablishing the player selected cash-out mode.
 10. The method ofoperating a gaming machine system and managing a player's availableplaying credit as recited in claim 7, the method further comprising astep of: establishing a default cash-out mode to become the papervoucher ticket mode prior to the step of establishing the playerselected cash-out mode, wherein the default cash-out mode is independentof the method of the method of submission of funds, wherein the methodof submission of funds is one of the paper voucher ticket or theelectronic ticket voucher.
 11. The method of operating a gaming machinesystem and managing a player's available playing credit as recited inclaim 7, the method further comprising a step of: establishing a defaultcash-out mode to become the electronic transfer mode when the method ofsubmission of funds is accomplished using the electronic ticket voucher.12. The method of operating a gaming machine system and managing aplayer's available playing credit as recited in claim 7, the methodfurther comprising a step of: enabling completion of the step ofdirecting the player to establish a player selected cash-out mode onlywhen the pending financial credit value is equal to zero.
 13. The methodof operating a gaming machine system and managing a player's availableplaying credit as recited in claim 7, the method further comprising astep of: enabling completion of the step of directing the player toestablish a player selected cash-out mode only when the pendingfinancial credit value is greater than zero.
 14. The method of operatinga gaming machine system and managing a player's available playing creditas recited in claim 7, the method further comprising a step of:presenting a visual indicator indicative of the currently establishedcash-out mode.
 15. The method of operating a gaming machine system andmanaging a player's available playing credit as recited in claim 7, themethod further comprising a step of: setting the currently establishedcash-out mode to the paper voucher ticket mode when the pendingfinancial credit value is equal to zero.
 16. The method of operating agaming machine system and managing a player's available playing creditas recited in claim 7, the method further comprising a step of: settingthe currently established cash-out mode to become the paper voucherticket mode when the gaming machine receives submission of a financialtransfer thereto to increase the available financial based credit,wherein the financial transfer originates from a source that differsfrom an electronic money account associated with the electronic ticketvoucher.
 17. The method of operating a gaming machine system andmanaging a player's available playing credit as recited in claim 7, themethod further comprising a step of: converting the currentlyestablished cash-out mode from the electronic transfer mode to becomethe paper voucher ticket mode when the gaming machine receivessubmission of a financial transfer thereto to increase the availablefinancial based credit, wherein the financial transfer is accomplishedusing at least one of a paper bill and a paper voucher ticket.
 18. Themethod of operating a gaming machine system and managing a player'savailable playing credit as recited in claim 7, wherein the step ofdirecting the player to establish a player selected cash-out modeincludes a step of directing the player to select one of two buttons,wherein a first of the two buttons is associated with the paper voucherticket mode and a second of the two buttons is associated with theelectronic transfer mode.
 19. The method of operating a gaming machinesystem and managing a player's available playing credit as recited inclaim 7, the method further comprising steps of: converting thecurrently established cash-out mode to become the paper voucher ticketmode upon an occurrence of at least one of the following events: (a) themode is not in the electronic money management mode when the electronicmoney handling section receives the request to store the voucher ticketmaster ID to the electronic money management system, (b) the electronicmoney handling section does not have an effective and authenticatedaccount associated with the electronic funds of the player, (c) theelectronic money handling section fails in one of sending a request tostore the voucher ticket master ID at the electronic money managementsystem or receiving a result of the storing of the voucher ticket masterID from the electronic money management system, and (d) the electronicmoney handling section receives the result of the failure to store thevoucher ticket master ID from the electronic money management system.20. A method of operating a gaming machine system and managing aplayer's available playing credit, the method comprising steps of:operating a gaming machine controller integrated into a gaming machine,the operation being accomplished in accordance with a series ofinstructions enabling a player to play a game on the gaming machinebased upon an available financial based credit; acquiring informationfrom at least one of (a) a paper ticket voucher through a paper ticketticket voucher handling circuit integrated into the gaming machine and(b) an electronic ticket voucher through an electronic ticket voucherhandling circuit integrated into the gaming machine, wherein theinformation includes a voucher ticket master identification; sending arequest message to an electronic money management system to update avalue of the voucher ticket master ID as being in a cashed-out statewithin an electronic money account database managed by the electronicmoney management system; receiving a verification from the electronicmoney management system confirming the voucher ticket master ID isplaced in a cashed-out state; increasing the available financial basedcredit stored on the gaming machine controller; and displaying a visualindicator representative of the result of the voucher ticket storingrequest to the player.